AmInvestment Research retains Buy on Padini

The company said in a Bursa Malaysia filing that revenue grew 20.71% to RM342.36mil, boosted by new stores including an additional five Padini Concept and eight Brands Outlet stores.

KUALA LUMPUR: AmInvestment Research is maintaining its Buy on Padini Holdings with a higher fair value of RM3 a share versus RM2.70 previously. 

“Our fair value for Padini is based on a FY17F PE of 13 times,” it said on Friday. Padini's foreign shareholding is 25%. 

The research house said remained positive on Padini’s prospects as sales are expected to remain resilient, supported by the affordable pricing of its products. 

“We like Padini for its 1) strong brand recognition; 2) sterling earnings track record; 3) wide distribution network; and 4) dominant position in the retail and apparels industry,” it explained.

AmInvestment Research expects Padini's earnings momentum to continue into FY17F underpinned by the opening of six new stores in the first half of the financial year.

The six stores are three concept stores and three brand outlets. These stores include those that would be located in Sunway Velocity Mall, Design Village in Penang and Aeon Melawati. 

“We have assumed a sales growth per store of 12.9% in FY17F compared with 15.3% in FY16F. Same store sales growth was 18% on-year at the concept stores and 9% on-year at the brands outlets in 9MFY16. 

“We expect Padini's pre-tax profit margins to improve in FY17F supported by the appreciation of the ringgit against the renminbi. As such, we have raised our assumption of Padini's EBIT margins from 14.5% previously to 15.5% each in FY16F and FY17F,” it said. 

AmInvestment Research said since the beginning of the year, the ringgit has appreciated by 9.7% against the renminbi. About 90% of Padini's inventories are sourced from suppliers in China. 

“We believe that there is minimal threat from online boutiques as the selling prices of Padini's apparel at the physical stores are still attractive. 

“Presently, Padini's online shop, which commenced operations in November 2015, generates less than RM100,000 of revenue. 

“Padini's balance sheet is clean as reflected in the net cash per share of 24 sen as at end-March 2016. Free cash flows are estimated at 28 sen per share in FY17F compared with 21 sen per share in FY16F,” it said. 

AmInvestment Research raised Padini's FY16F and FY17F earnings estimates by 7% and 11% respectively as EBIT margins and sales during the recent Raya festive period have been better-than-expected.